Michael Clarke hails Australian team spirit for Ashes whitewash

Australian captain Michael Clarke hailed his team’s spirit to get back to winning games after losing seven games on the bounce. Clarke attributed the role the senior players played in setting the tone for the five consecutive wins.

Clarke stood up to his misdemeanors after his altercation with James Anderson and stated that the bowlers made the difference for Australia.

Australia held an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match ODI series going into the Perth game and fielded an understrength side which was without Clarke, keeper Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and David Warner who were all rested.

George Bailey, who stood in for Clarke as captain on Friday, said it made a difference playing without them but defended Australia’s decision to rest the key players.

“I’m surprised that Pup [Clarke] is actually coming back after just missing one. I thought he might miss two,” said Bailey.

“Don’t get me wrong, you want to win every game you play. But given how crammed the schedule is, I think if you do get an opportunity to rest a few of the guys, you take the option,” added Bailey.

Watson will also return for the fifth ODI in Adelaide but pace star Mitchell Johnson will be rested ahead of next month’s three-Test tour of South Africa, along with Warner and Haddin.

First Published on January 26, 2014 3:40 PM ISTLast updated on January 26, 2014 3:41 PM IST